Funny thing: I did an online search for "it's me or the dog.". On the men's forums, there is this expectation that you love the people in your family more than your dog, I.e. if your kids can't allow you to have the dog, you have to re-home him. But you go to the women's forums, it's pretty unanimous: " if my husband ever told me it's me or the dog, I'd tell him to get lost.". Nope, no double standard there.
As for me, family is family.
Luckily for me, that's not a situation in this household. I live with my ex-wife... yes my ex-wife, and she loves my little bloke as much as I do. In fact, Buddy was breach and wouldn't have been born if she hadn't been there to help him. He was first, so his mother and the other two pups wouldn't have survived, either. He was also the runt of the litter and the mother wouldn't feed him, so we took turns throughout the day and night to flip her on her side away from the other pups to ensure he got fed. Apart from being the best looking pup, I think that's why I chose him out of the three, because I got so close and involved.
Oh, and he's definitely my dog. He suffers with separation anxiety and whines if I have to go out without him, and when I get back he's so happy to see me, jumping up my legs and wanting to be picked up. Shaunna and I take him for walks, and sometimes we'll need to pop into the local supermarket to get something. If Shaunna goes into the store while I mind him, not a problem, but if I go into the store while Shaunna minds him, he yelps with separation anxiety and wants to come with me. Like I said MY dog.
If anybody knows of an effective remedy for constant itching/scratching please PM me with it. TIA. Yeah, the poor little bloke is suffering with it badly right now. I've tried various anti-itch treatments and anti-histamines without a lot of success, so I'd be most grateful for a solution.